Safe In Yachats

Well, it was an uneventful night. Somehow I evaded the long arm of the law and was able to pack up and flee the scene of the crime back to the Driftwood Beach SP parking lot by 6AM. I commandeered one of the two picnic tables and had a relaxed breakfast as the Sun lit the ocean and then the shore. 

My first order of business today was to walk the beach four miles to the town of Waldport. Situated on the Alsea River which widens to a bay as it meets the ocean. Home to 2050 folks, it does support a couple of coffee places and at least one convenience store. I may have stopped at one or a couple of these places on my way through.

To get across the river one crosses the 1991 Alsea River Bridge which replaced the 1936 Alsea River Bridge. The 1936 version was designed by Conde McCullough who designed the Historic Yaquina Bay Bridge I crossed yesterday. The 1936 Alsea Bridge looked a lot like the Yaquina Bridge. The 1991 Alsea replacement pays tribute to the original with a single arch.

After a couple miles on 101, I got back to the beach and walked 8 miles further, down to Yachats. Another beautiful sunny blue sky day. I met a nice couple from Portland who pegged me as an OCT hiker. We had a nice conversation. With a few other exceptions, the beach was nearly devoid of people the whole 8 miles.

The other item of note along this stretch of beach is the big stump. Located at Big Stump Beach, there are the remains of a giant Redwood that grew here some 1200+ years ago. Presently, the northern range of these trees is near the California border, but 1200 years ago, apparently they thrived in this area.

As one hikes into Yachats, they leave the beach for the 804 trail. Before there was a road to Yachats, people from Walport would drive down the beach, then apparently leave their cars and walk the 804 into town. The beach sand turns to rocky coastline at Yachats, and the 804 takes one along the top of the bluff.

I got a motel for tonight. It was cheap, and there may be a reason. The people next door sound like they are in my room when they are talking. So, no soundproofing. Could be a long night.

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